Welfare Reform.... LCCs The Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme

 

From 1^st April, 2013, Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants within the DWP Discretionary Social Fund will be abolished. From that date, within Lancashire, a new local scheme will be established, administered by Lancashire County Council, called The Care and Urgent Needs Support Scheme.

The new local scheme is there to support vulnerable people in urgent need who have no access to other means of support. This might be to allow them to live in the community or to deal with a particular crisis.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scheme, you must live in the area covered by Lancashire County Council (this excludes Blackpool, and Blackburn with Darwen who have their own schemes)

• be over 16

AND

• On a low income, this would normally mean that you were getting:

  • Income Support,

  • Income based Job Seekers Allowance ( JSA),

  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance ( ESA)

  • or Pension Credit ( Guarantee Credit only)

AND

• Either leaving care or requiring support to stay in the community

OR

• Able to demonstrate that you are without immediate resource to meet the basic needs of yourself and/ or your dependents

To access the scheme

Helpline : 0845 0530015

CRB/DBS Check Forms

 

From the 28 March 2013 forms with the old CRB branding on them will no longer be accepted. All DBS Checks should now be carried out using the new DBS branded forms. Any forms received by the Disclosure and Barring Service which are old CRB branded forms will be rejected from the 28 March 2013. For more information click here.

SERVE NEWSLETTER

 

Prefer to read this online? Click here for the browser version of this newsletter     Ascension Trust exists to equip the Church to serve.  At Ascension Trust, we look to do this through a number of God-led initiatives and we're also part of Serve, as we seek to enable churches to do great things. This year, Ascension Trust will celebrate two important dates - our 20th year as a charity and the 10th anniversary of one of our initiatives, Street Pastors. No-one could have imagined the impact that a simple vision of wanting to be where the people were to "care, listen and help" would have caught the imagination of not only the Church, but society as a whole. Click here to read more Eustace Constance is Operations Director at Ascension Trust and a member of Serve.       In this edition you'll find.... Funding, new resources, latest news, stories and events.   Funding Tearfund's IMPACT UK Team are inviting applications for new partners on their 'Activate' Early Accompaniment Programme. The programme provides grant funding of up to £30,000 over three years to church-based community projects working in areas of high deprivation in the UK. To receive further information and the initial application form, please contact impactuk@tearfund.org The deadline for applications for this initial stage is 10th May 2013. KINGDOM BANK LTD Kingdom Bank is a UK based independent Christian bank with a strong ethical ethos – a commitment to use its available funds to build and enrich society. When savers make a deposit into Kingdom Bank's savings accounts, the bank puts that money to work in building God's kingdom, working with UK Christian churches and charities providing mortgages that help them achieve their building projects. The bank provides savings accounts, general insurance, church and charity mortgages. www.kingdombank.co.uk       New resources To recognise World Autism Day on April 2, take a look at 'Making Church Accessible for All'. The book provides a strong argument for rethinking the way we present church. Working from the biblical basis for including people with disabilities, Tony Phelps-Jones considers the obstacles that church can put in the way and the practicalities of establishing an effective ministry.  The book includes examples of inclusive teaching and worship, together with sections focusing on learning disabilities, autism, sight loss, hearing loss, mobility difficulty, mental health conditions and families with children with additional needs. Visit the Prospects website to find out more. This month we also recognise the work of partners raising the profile of homelessness on Youth Homelessness Matters Day, April 17.  Your church can partner with Green Pastures to house homeless people. To find out more, go to http://greenpastures.net     Latest news This month the cabinet office announced that more funding would be released for social action.  £3.1 million will be distributed amongst 4 organisations.  Click here to read the press release and find out who has received funding.       Stories Nottingham outreach decreases street prostitution With thanks to our partner HOPE Together for sharing this story. Christians in Nottingham, led by Rev Richard Clark of St Andrew's Church, have been working in the city's red light district bringing hope to women who have been caught in the vicious cycle of prostitution. More than 50 volunteers offer their help in a drop-in centre, take part in street outreaches twice a week, and carry out pastoral visits to those in prison or working in brothels. Read more from the Jericho Road Project story. How are you or your church transforming lives around you?  Have you got a story to tell about reaching out with God's love on your streets?  Tell us here...       Events   THE BRINK CONFERENCE @thebrinknet Date: Saturday 13th April, 9.30am - 5.00pm Venue: Cottingham Christ Church, 31 Endyke Lane, Cottingham, HU16 4QD Cost: £21 and will include a buffet lunch & refreshments. More info and booking:  http://brinknet.eventbrite.co.uk/ As society has changed so the landscape of the church is undergoing a transformation. The truth remains the same but the way it is delivered and lived out is shifting. No longer can churches expect people to walk through the door and just rely on one-off programmes to bring people to Christ. This one-day event will take you on a journey of exploring what the future could look like and provide plenty of ideas to provoke thought, discussion and some practical tips to take away.     Cinnamon Network Social Enterprise Date: 17th April 2013 Venue: The Chapel, Central Hall, Storey's Gate, Westminster, London, London, SW1H 9NH Time: 3-5pm The Cinnamon Network and partners would like to invite leaders of church based social enterprises, and those considering starting one, to a forum to explore ideas, funding and best practice. More information and booking: http://cinnamonnetwork.co.uk/event/cinnamon-network-social-enterprise-forum/     Transforming communities through the local church: theology, practice, experience from North and South Date: 21st May 2013, 10am - 4pm Venue: Conference Room, Christian Medical Fellowship, 6 Marshalsea Road, London, SE1 1HL Cost: £15 to people from Global Connections member agencies and churches. Cost for non-Global Connections members is £45. Refreshments and a buffet lunch are included in the price. Please book soon: http://www.globalconnections.co.uk/events/networkevents/currentevents/randd1305 Often bypassed or neglected as an agent of community outreach, the local church is now seen as God's strategic focus for transforming the community around it. By using the wealth of gifts and abilities given to its members, the local church can burst out of its walls to bring the kingdom of God where Jesus planned it to be: in the streets, the houses, the neighbourhoods, the villages, the alleys of the world, incarnating the love of God in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Come and learn from leading practitioners and thinkers as they share their understanding of how this process has and does work, at the Relief and Development Forum event on 21 May 2013.  They will address the subject from their wide personal experience, as well as facilitate workshop discussions and present case studies. Take the opportunity to share your experiences with friends and colleagues working in and through local churches.   Don't miss this very special opportunity to be energised for church mobilisation. Thank you for reading Serve e-news. We hope you have a blessed and restful Easter. The Serve team

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Newsletter of National Coalition for Independent Action

Newsletter of National Coalition for Independent Action... Always a stimulating read..

 

http://ymlp.com/zYnhXP

Grants available from LCC

 

Almost £200,000 to support Lancashire's community groups

Lancashire County Council has announced more than £190,000 for their 2013/14 Local Initiative Fund scheme.

Now in its third year, the LIF scheme provides grants to voluntary, community and faith groups that carry out important work to help communities across Lancashire.

Groups in Lancashire can apply for grants of £1,000 to £5,000 to support their work and help to meet the county council's priorities.

The LIF scheme provides grants to fund new and innovative projects and activities which support three of the county council's priorities: improved outcomes for families; skills and employment; and activities for teenagers.

County Councillor Mark Perks, Chair of the Cabinet Working Group for the Third Sector, said: "In 2012/13, we awarded a total of £224,289 to community groups in Lancashire to deliver a wide range of activities to meet local needs.

"These included family support, digital and social media training, sports, online photo archives, careers and business advice sessions, school holiday activities and many other initiatives.

"We're keen to see more organisations bidding for LIF grants to deliver new and innovative project activity in 2013/14 for the people of Lancashire and help the county council to achieve its priorities."

• For more information about the LIF Scheme and the application process, please contact the council VCFS Grants Team on 01772 530 818 or visit www.lancashire.gov.uk and search for 'Local Initiative Fund'.

• Bids for funding in the next round need to be in by Friday 26th April 2013 at .005pm.

Fw: Toolkit 2013 - Youth & Children's Work Training - Liverpool

 

Toolkit is back for 2013 on 20^th April at Liverpool Corps in Walton Liverpool. Last year's event was a great success at equipping youth and children's workers and this year we hope it will be even better. Find out more about who's speaking and what seminars are on for 2013 by visiting the website at http://www.liverpooltoolkit.com/ To book please visit the website. For enquiries please contact toolkitliverpool@googlemail

 

We look forward to seeing you there

 

Katherine Hilditch

 

 

Could you use £50K to improve your community? Probably a longshot to gain some Lottery Funding

 

 

Life-changing Lotto £50K is up for grabs! The People's Millions launches today, with £50,000 available to improve the lives of people in your local community.   The Peoples Millions is an annual TV competition run by Big Lottery Fund and ITV which awards Lottery funding to community projects that will improve the lives of local people. This year there are four awards of up to £50,000 on offer in each of the 19 ITV regional news areas across the UK.     Anything from youth and environmental projects to schemes that improve employment prospects or help people in need are in with a chance of bagging the Big Lottery Fund cash, provided that entrants can convince their community through a broadcast on ITV regional news that their idea is worthy of the prize. The competition opens today for entries from voluntary and community groups; local authorities; schools; statutory health bodies and branches of organisations or partnerships. More information and entry packs are available on The People's Millions website. To keep up to date with all the latest news use the hashtag #pplsmillions on Twitter, or join us on Facebook. The deadline for completed entries is 12 noon on Monday 13 May 2013, so don't miss out. Good luck!           Unsubscribe from this newsletter

New research on church/civic engagement... to be launched at Gather Conference next week - Manchester

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Gather Network

To: Greg

Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 4:18 PM

Subject: New research on church/civic engagement

New Research on Church/civic Engagement Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Last chance to book for "Working Together" Consultation                                          Life Centre, Sale, Manchester,                                       March 20th-21st 2013 A consultation looking at how the Church can engage with civic authorities You will hear from experienced practitioners in cities and towns across the country. You will hear from key civic leaders about the do's and don'ts of civic engagement. How good are Churches at working with local authorities? Be part of compiling a good practice document to be sent out to Churches across the country.                             New research to be unveiled at the conference. Together with Christians in Parliament, the Evangelical Alliance has looked into the relationships between local authorities and faith groups across the country. At the Gather consultation the findings of this research will be presented ahead of the publication of the full report later in the spring. This relationship is often strong and fruitful with faith groups providing many services and activities for their community; they are also increasingly taking on formal responsibilities in partnership with their local authority. However, the understanding of faith within authorities is frequently limited and there can be fears and misconceptions that restrict the full flourishing of this relationship.   During the consultation we'll take a look at how engaging with civic authorities is about public leadership. More than just good works, this is about being a voice in and for your community, and it is about leading people into a better life. It is about positively profiling the work of the church outside the walls of the church building.     Whether it's through running for local political office, partnering with the council to provide services or becoming a voice in your local media, there are huge opportunities to bring good news to your community.                              For more details go to www.wegather.co.uk/news/Working-Together.cfm  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Gather is enabled by the Evangelical Alliance of Great Britain  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Sent to pcan@maister-smith.fsnet.co.uk — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Gather - Evangelical Alliance · Whitefield House · 186 Kennington Park Road · London, England SE11 4BT

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New food poverty report

From Kelloggs...... another episode in the cereal of everyday hungry folk  :-)

SHOCK REPORT HIGHLIGHTS DESPERATE LEVELS OF FOOD POVERTY IN 'SQUEEZED' BRITAIN

05 Mar, 2013

Food poverty in the UK is at a shocking level and is set to get worse, according to new research.

It has found that at least 4.7 million Brits could be described as being in food poverty – having no choice but to spend 10 per cent or more of their household income on food and making bad nutritional choices.

Worryingly, the average household food bill will rocket by £357 by 2017, says a report issued today by Kellogg's (compiled in association with the Centre for Economics and Business Research).

 

 

SEE MORE AND DOWLOAD THE FULL REPORT: http://pressoffice.kelloggs.co.uk/index.php?s=20295&item=122399

 

BBC Children in Need Open to Applications (UK)

---

Subject: BBC Children in Need Open to Applications (UK)

 

Newsflash 7 March 2013

BBC Children in Need Open to Applications

Funding is available to not-for-profit organisations in the UK that are supporting children and young people of 18 years and under who are experiencing disadvantage through: Illness, distress, abuse or neglect. Any kind of disability. Behavioural or psychological difficulties. Living in poverty or situations of deprivation. Organisations must be working to combat this disadvantage and to make a real difference to children and young people's lives. The following levels of funding are available: Main Grants of over £10,000 are available to support projects for up to three years. There is no upper limit but very few grants over £100,000 are made and most grants are for much less. Small Grants of up to £10,000 are available for one year. The 2013 deadlines for Main Grants applications are 15 May 2013 and 15 September 2013. The 2013 deadlines for Small Grants applications are 1 April 2013, 1 June 2013, 1 September 2013 and 1 December.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey

Launch of CAP job clubs

John Kirkby stood in front of 40 MPs in the Houses of Parliament and announced that we are launching a brand new initiative – CAP Job Clubs.  see

 

http://capuk.org/eshots/cap_newsletter/2013_03_06/content.php

Is this the end of Cameron's big society?

Hard-pressed charities say government spending cuts are putting paid to the prime minister's flagship policy

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/05/end-david-camerons-big-society

Funding for Financial Literacy Projects - deadline 1 May 2013

The MSE Charity has announced that its grants programme will re-open for applications on the 1st May 2013.  The MSE Charity provides grants to constituted community based groups (including schools) to help fight financial and consumer illiteracy and to educate and inform adults and children about consumer and debt issues.  Under the programme, grants of up to £5,000 are available for group projects such as self-help groups, schools, workshops and other innovative schemes that seek to educate people about money, debt and consumer issues.  The programme usually closes when 40 applications have been received.  Individuals over the age of 18 can apply for a grant of up to £500 to help pay towards a recognised and approved course that will help improve their ability to budget and manage their finances. The grant can be used to pay for financial education course fees and other associated expenses.

https://www.msecharity.com/Default.aspx?pageid=15

 

"Justice... do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge people fairly?"

 I want to pose David's question to our politicians in regard to the way poverty and homelessness is being defined in the UK. Unless one is registered - that is, goes through a not uncomplicated referral system - the State, through its delegated authority to the local municipalities, does not recognise one's need for shelter, for food, or for social benefits, in that people who have not gone "through the system" are denied help. 

 

http://insight.salvationarmy.org.uk/politically-correct

Fw: Gather News Lent 2013

Gather Newsletter Lent 2013 Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Lent Newsletter Dear friends, we are now well into the season of Lent, a time of prayer, reflection and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also a time for us to discover new ways of sharing the Easter story with our communities and to engage in adventurous and creative mission together. This months newsletter is full of stories to inspire you to be imaginative and to 'think big' in your collective mission both this year and in preparations for next years Hope 2014 campaign. As we celebrate the first signs of spring's new growth and the warmer weather so too we can encourage new shoots of growth towards greater unity and mission in our towns and cities. What can you do this coming year to make a difference in your place? What is God doing amongst you and how can you join in His mission. Please take the time to read the stories and articles on the Gather website and to pray together as churches and unity movements as to how you can play your part in all that God is doing. Easter Baptisms in York Each year York's churches come together to celebrate Easter with an outdoor ecumenical baptismal service held on the street near the cathedral; Archbishop John Sentamu is amongst those who preside over this special service with hundreds of people worshiping together. Read their unique story and consider whether this is something that you could begin in your town during Easter 2014, wouldn't it be wonderful if during the missional year of Hope 2014, towns and cities all across our country held outdoor baptismal services as an act of unity and revealing that God is very much alive and at work amongst us. To read more and to find out how to plan your own outdoor service, go to: www.wegather.co.uk/york Passion Plays A resurgence of Passion Plays, with a new focus on bringing the Gospel out of the churches and onto the streets in towns and cities across the UK, is an increasingly exciting part of social and spiritual transformation in cities across the United Kingdom. The Passion Trust invite you to put on a passion play next Easter in your town/city. If you would like to visit a passion play this Easter then find out where they are being held, or perhaps get really inspired and work together in this exciting and creative way to share the Easter message with your community. To read about this exciting opportunity go to www.wegather.co.uk/passion Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend An Epic Journey Welcome to the story of everything! See the Bible brought to life on stage in an hour (or so)! Journey with us through tragedy and tears, music and mirth, serpents and salvation! If you are looking for an easier way to use creativity as a joint missional activity in your area then why not invite the Saltmine Theatre Company to come and perform their amazing production in your town. This is a great way for churches to come together and invite their friends and neighbours to a performance that will both delight, challenge and offer opportunity for deep conversation. For more information go to www.wegather/saltmine Your stories We love to hear what God is doing in your town, city or village. If you would like to share your story then please contact us at admin@wegather.co.uk to discuss ways of us telling your story to encourage others. Working Together Last chance to book your place on the civic engagement consultation on 20th-21st March 2013 How can churches engage with civic life ? How does the economic crisis now give the church unparalleled opportunities to partner with the council, police force, housing trust and other service providers? What are the opportunities and what dangers must be avoided? What are the practical do's and dont's of church-civic engagement? What are the best examples of good practice around the county? These and other questions are being discussed and addressed in this strategic 24hr consultation. You will hear from experienced practitioners in cities and towns across the country. Theresa Grant (CEO of Trafford Council) will be addressing the consultation looking at the do's and don'ts of church-civic engagement, the serious crisis facing the statuary authorities and what happens when we run out money to meet the most basic needs. Neil Wain (Former Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester now working with Redeeming our Communities) will be  addressing the consultation. What to do and what not to do in working with the police. What the church and the police can learn from each other? How can churches connect with their local police? How good are churches at working with local authorities? New research to be unveiled at the consultation. Listen to an inspiring story of transformation in Salford, when the churches get their act together. Hear about the key role the churches played after the riots of 2010 in Croydon and how that has led to a new level of engagement. Significant connections with civic authorities being made across Plymouth. Be part of compiling a good practice document to be sent out to churches across the country Go to www.wegather .co.uk follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © *2013* *Gather EA*, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: www.wegather.co.uk admin@wegather.co.uk  Gather is enabled and supported by the Evangelical Alliance  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Sent to pcan@maister-smith.fsnet.co.uk — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Gather - Evangelical Alliance · Whitefield House · 186 Kennington Park Road · London, England SE11 4BT

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